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While I'm here, I'd like to rant. Who else is getting bone-sick tired of Pelosi, Schumer, Schiff and the others trying to make a personal vendetta look like legitimate politics? Every time I turn on the news, there they are making a spectacle of themselves. This has been going on in one form or another since day 1 of Trumps presidency. Enough already. There's work to be done and the only person in DC who is doing anything..........Is Trump. Love him or hate him, at least he's trying to get things done. Thank you for reading.
I'm completely sick of it too. I don't generally comment on political threads, but I'll definitely chime-in with you on this. None of those people have any class at all. They all look pathetic to me.
I've found the behavior of his political enablers despicable. My weary feelings for Trump supporters are, Trump's Chumps. Tools for a raving fool. He's a petty despot whom is tarnishing the office he holds and the democracy we have taken for granted. Under our nose for decades, the political process has been hijacked by obscene financial dependency and economic principals that favor the elite class providing the means. His history is long fraught with dubious ethical and character behavior. This is just a continuation of that. For me, our democracy needs to show to the world that this temperament is counter to the needs of the many, and would be hypocritical in calling out other government's behavior. He's taking our future backward, not forward. We're all tired of it. Impeach the swine.
Yes. Washington has become rather worthless over the years. I wish Jimmy Carter were able to run. I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. But at 95.........
Quote: Airforce 3 Yes. Washington has become rather worthless over the years. I wish Jimmy Carter were able to run. I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. But at 95......... A man of great integrity. His presidential potential never reached unfortunately. I fear he's on the ropes now, two falls recently and presently a broken pelvis. But he came back from what seemed impossible, metastatic melanoma. A remarkable man and life.
January 20th cannot come soon enough for all the egregious, absurd and disgusting "theories" being bandied about. This the latest in a near continuous output of repugnant acts committed these last four years is very reminiscent of what this thread was started over. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-raffensperger-call-georgia-vote/2021/01/03/d45acb92-4dc4-11eb-bda4-615aaefd0555_story.html Ugly, very ugly political psycho drama. I'm sorry our country is so divided, but this individual is not fit, nor ever was to be in the position graced upon him. May we never, ever allow someone of this temperament an opportunity again. It was a perfect storm that got him there. Democrat or Republican. It's time to ethically renew the institution.
The show must go on so the soap opera continues unabated. Every aspect of this man points to an individual with deep psychological pathologies that degrades civility and useful public attention. I think if this had been successfully dealt with at the first go around leading to this thread. Our country and it's business, including the reputation, save a brave few, of the political party he represented having some ethical fortitude. Could have saved us all from one stupid mess after another. Including loss of life. Exile would help. Maybe North Korea. I can say by now, I'm bone-sick tired of hearing anything more about his abomination. But the show must go on.
Hi, I seldom chime in on political issues and actually take extra effort to avoid them. But in this case I'm solidly with Rusty. I feel the country has been severely damaged by the ex President. Unfounded and unsupported challenges to our fundamental principles were pushed out as truths. Time after time they were proved to be false. There were no facts to support them. For sure there were a handful of instances, but not nearly of the magnitude to make the outcome different. If you think about it a bit...who was in charge at the time of the 2020 elections. Why would they make the opposition candidate win? Who would have altered the process to make it happen? That really makes no sense. I am sorry if I offend some folks, but anyone who now sincerely believes that the "election was stolen" has been duped by a showman. I do hope we can get over the issues but it seems they are ever present at this time. I believe we all have a lot more in common than we think and can work through this. If not, then our way of life that allows conversations like this text will be a thing of the past. I would like to think that my children and grand children will not be so divided on issues like this and better able to come together and solve them than we seen to be. Kick me of the site if I'm too direct in this, but I didn't start the problem and the more it gets put under the rug the worse it will get.
Politics seems to me to be partially like bad amateur community theater, and structured like team sports. Coaches, players and fans. People tend to root for their team whether they're performing ok or horribly. Tribal politics. The issue concerning election integrity has been going on for some time even prior to this culminating in a grotesque ugly outcome. There is nothing wrong with the system. But innuendo can be a powerful tool in the hands of political actors. All they have to do is repeat it over and over. No proof needed. It's the seed of doubt that can blossom into the weed of hypocrisy. I've learned to become more self critical of my team. I wish the league were larger. But that is our stilted system. By choice. The two teams who when it comes down to brass tacks, act as one with the singular aspect of our lives that evades all the culture war talking points that the political actors use. Which is the structure of our economy and the way it is run. If the greater percentage of people could thrive economically in our democracy. The rest of this culture war crap could be dealt with more civilly. And unhinged demagoguery candidates would never make it to primary runoffs.
I remember the 2016 primaries. I really expected Ted Cruz to win and was shocked when Trump pulled it off. Then I was even more shocked when he beat Clinton for the presidency, with a really big lead. While he had tons of name recognition, it wasn't in politics. He wasn't a political insider. And for me, that was the thing I liked best. Certainly, his narcissism put people off. He was the opposite of a media darling. All the attention he got seemed negative. Still is. But I did like how he was a political outsider and seemed to have no qualms disagreeing with other politicians. Even though he loved to make deals in business, he didn't appear to feel the need to do that in politics. He had no need to network with other politicians as a career choice. It's like his ego was more of a driving influence than acquiring money and power. He already had it and didn't seem to need to add more through political connections. So he would just as likely burn a bridge as he would build one. Looks to me like the presidency - or perhaps how he reacted to it - hurt him much more than it helped him. I can think of no other president that hasn't benefitted quite substantially. Trump definitely hasn't. In a political world that looks so incestuous, he was definitely a different breed.
Agreed Wayne, but your post does not emit any real loathing or white hot hatred towards the previous president. Therefore we must gather that you are likely a "domestic terrorist"
Mr. Parham has been referred to the January 6th committee.
You guys are crackin' me up!
The high sheriff of notingham will be by shortly to pick you up. Please leave the bow and arrows behind.
Hi, There are days when I think that we should not allow anyone over 30 to run for an elected office. Only one term as well. It might be chaotic but it could not be much worse than now and at least we would get new ideas.
More so than age because there's one out there at least that has some fire in his belly and good ideas, hint, (in the senate). But for me, it's the influx of monied influence from a small segment of society supporting their special interests and the legalized bribery of lobbying. And our economy being planned for and by Wall Street. Short term vision. Our society has become polarized and too expensive for the bulk of it's working class to thrive. The result of finance capitalism. So we fuss over cultural issues obscuring the real problem's hidden right in plain view. But, that's the intent. Thank goodness the mid-term deluge of idiotic political ads are soon over.
Just out of curiosity, can senators and congressmen (and women) be impeached? I know we can elect new ones, but we can elect new members of the executive branch too. So I'm wondering if members of the legislative branch can be impeached for treasonous, illegal or unethical behavior. 'Cause there's more than one I think should be thrown out of office and never allowed to work for the government in any capacity ever again. When they're not representing your state, you can't even vote for them but sometimes they do horrible things that affect the whole country.
From Robert Reich, (serving under both Ford & Clinton Admin.). Quoting from a 19th century provision in the constitution. Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bars anyone from office who has been found to have "engaged in insurrection" against the United States. The key word, "anyone". In the past people have stepped down from office, like Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota did because of some petty sexual innuendo leveled at him. In retrospect that seems absurd to the behavior of some of his colleagues have gotten tangled in. Without even censure. Though I will say, the former temporary governor of Missouri Eric Greitens, stepped down from office from overwhelming heat from his crazy personal behavior. Didn't keep him from running for a federal office seat in the senate though. The political climate is too hyped up now. There is no parliamentarian will to do justice for abhorrent behavior. Just throw stones at one another. And look what happened to the whole country from the 2008 crash. Out & out banking fraud and nary anyone punished. Other than, "now now children, play nice".
Rusty wrote on Mon, 07 November 2022 10:11 From Robert Reich, (serving under both Ford & Clinton Admin.). Quoting from a 19th century provision in the constitution. Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bars anyone from office who has been found to have "engaged in insurrection" against the United States. The key word, "anyone". In the past people have stepped down from office, like Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota did because of some petty sexual innuendo leveled at him. In retrospect that seems absurd to the behavior of some of his colleagues have gotten tangled in. Without even censure. Though I will say, the former temporary governor of Missouri Eric Greitens, stepped down from office from overwhelming heat from his crazy personal behavior. Didn't keep him from running for a federal office seat in the senate though. The political climate is too hyped up now. There is no parliamentarian will to do justice for abhorrent behavior. Just throw stones at one another. And look what happened to the whole country from the 2008 crash. Out & out banking fraud and nary anyone punished. Other than, "now now children, play nice". Kinda crazy, isn't it?!!
I know that's right! We only got this one little world, and we're hell bent on ruining it. So a few can live real swell. Been done over & over through history. Wealth amnesia. We never learn. Take it from Lil Walter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8shAtX3pc-8
A couple years later and no wiser. Rematch of two old compromised individuals for the nations highest office. This really seems to show how degraded our democratic system has come to. In one corner we have a life long career politician, should have retired a decade at least ago. Stuck in the 20th century cold war mentality. In the other corner there's a serial fraudster, liar, con-man, currently found guilty of 34 counts of hush money fraud. Our country is divided by political farce. None of this crap amounts to moving our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness one iota. Throw out the theatrics and the two parties behind the curtain share the same broken economic ideology and foreign policy that serves only the military industrial complex and wall street. This Deja Vu reminds me of the song, Once in a Lifetime by the Talking Heads. "Same as it ever was, same as it ever was". Trouble is it just marks the erosion of our democracy like any drug addict and alcoholic denies their habits.
Hi, I'm with you on this. The current tribal system will haunt the country for a long time. The way things are going now is straight to the toilet. The organizations that are supposed to make the country work are bent on tearing it down.
Hi, For a lot more on this subject you should see the postings on the vinylengine.com site. A bit of international commentary there that shows what the world thinks of us at this time. https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=136791
It's locked out now I see. No surprise there. The world has every right to be critical of our US policy internationally. Its a reflection of our internal economic philosophy that only works efficiently for the upper tier of incomes. Both of our political parties are compromised by it.
I'd like for tottering old Joe to step aside. He was alarmingly absent from that debate. His face said everything. Blank. And the debate process for the lands highest office is a highly scripted and powder puff affair. Our choice of respective president is laughable now. A very real indictment of what our country has devolved into. But there is a real threat of real fascist degradation to our democracy. A draft of policy implementation if Trump is elected. Very scary, troubling radical agenda. https://www.project2025.org/
Its fascinating what is going on geopolitically these days. There is a full court press of the two principle countries of the BRICS coalition towards de-dollarizing, setting up a trade clearing house for world currencies, "not" using the dollar and establishing infrastructure in the global south regions to promote the "mutual" benefit of raw materials and finished goods all within this region. Excluding because of political ideology the western G7 country's NATO alliance and financial aggression. Which was the impetus for the formation of the BRICS to begin with. The recent NATO show in Washington to help bolster the weakened image of Mr. Biden is also a show to help manage the weakened image of NATO itself due to the ongoing Ukraine war. Here is a dialogue between two economists with extensive geopolitical understanding that goes to the heart of what this newfound world economic and military alliances are now at and where they evolved from. Of note for me, is gaining insight that NATO was formed in 1949 and the WARSAW PACT was formed in 1955. As a result of West Germany joining NATO. The history of how NATO has been used alongside the United States and the G7's economic ideology is part of this fascinating dialogue. Interesting read. https://michael-hudson.com/2024/07/nato-focus-from-defensive-to-offensive/
Wow! It's like a rematch of 2016 now. Since Old Joe bows out.. Finally. His vice president will go up against Trump no doubt. Like Hillary did then. Will history repeat? If the outcome is different from then. Will we have a repeat of a spoiled brat causing trouble? My Spidey senses say, yes.
H. L. Mencken, journalist, humorist wrote in the early 20th century about politics. "As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." Well, that's twice now. Which seems to indicate that our political orthodoxy, both of them, are not somehow connecting with the plain folks. Neither republican or democrat could keep him from his surely "ordained" role of commander and chief. I think the public is grasping at someone outside of the political norm to somehow make a change for the better. Because neither of our two parties have done nothing more than bow to the oligarchy that bankrolls their campaigns and the deep state as they are known. Quasi military complex, think tank, national security apparatus that induces sanctioning and war throughout the world. That does anything useful for the pursuit of happiness our constitution fails to guarantee.
This gal's blog always skewers straight to the bullseye. Caitlin Johnstone. Yesterdays inauguration was symbolic. Of how the Imperial Sausage is made. By all of the empire management team. Trump just keeps the lid open. Give him credit where its due. https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/donald-trump-is-the-empire-unmasked
To say he speaks unfiltered or has no lid (in all subjects) is captain obvious to me , I’m not sure where she’s been. I believe it’s what got him elected (perhaps both times). Seems we go back and forth from a more filtered (and politically correct) candidate you’d like to have a beer with to an unfiltered, boisterous, rough around the edges guy. But for staying true to this thread topic…let’s prepare for impeachment three, four, and five! 😵‍💫
Yes. There is truth to that. Trump shoots from the hip. And being politically correct isn't his aim. The republicans cuddle up to it because he has been successful. People are disgusted with the legislative tug of war lack of meaningful progress. The blog gal, Caitlin Johnstone is an Australian. She's looking in at our system but knows the similarities of her own. So, just as she writes, the hypocrisy of the political correctness process that Trump totally disregards is a nod of agreement to keeping it real. Showing the corrupt system for what it is. A farse. Trump ended his address saying God almighty saved him from assassination for a purpose. MAGA. Lets prepare for that warped vision. His and our oligarchies.
I think people might be fed up with all the "shoot from hip" talk and how it's so admiral in the muddy waters of politics. People want someone who understands what's going on down here on the ground floor. Personally, I don't care how honest you are, I care about how attached to reality you are, and Trump is about as detached as they come.
Hi Everyone. I too seriously question his state of mind and ultimate purposes. Somehow as hard as it is for me to understand why a number of folks still support him.
Well, people do tend to hang on to their notions of things. No matter what evidence presented to contradict. I think its important for public officials to be honest and have some semblance of virtue and ethics. The political "game" is compromised now by so much wealth interests that being honest applies just to honoring their interests for continued donorship. The public trades off between the two ineffectual political parties frustratingly because that's all there is to choose from realistically. Competing parties are blocked out from forming. That a lying, conniving and ethically bankrupt felon can be elected again to further degrade a society that is devolving from the selfish interests of a minority of its population speaks loudly to the rhetoric that this empire is wearing thin.
Machiavellian narcissist leaders. The 16th century Italian philosopher's book, The Prince is a text book for what it takes to get elected. It seems glaringly obvious with the personality of our current head of state that buyers remorse is forming with the electorate. But its nothing new under the sun with human behavior patterns. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpFLNY_gdls
This is only tangentially related, but it is a fascination of mine. Have you ever looked up "Dark Triad" personality traits? Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy. There are similarities within traits - some overlap - but also some differences between each. All lack empathy. But then a new idea came upon some of the researchers: What if someone with dark triad personality traits learned empathy, not so much to be able to consider someone else's condition in an altruistic way but more as a way of being able to know how to best influence them. Sort of an intellectual empathy. Enter the Dark Empath. One of my fascinations is machine intelligence. Another is human intelligence. And by that, I mean "what makes us tick." So part of that fascination brought me to learn about these concepts. Sorry to digress on the "Impeachment Drama" thread, but you did mention Machiavellianism and narcissism.
Yes I've read a little of the dark triad. That would seem an empty and conniving type of empath. Which would be psychologically leaning towards psychopathy. That seems to fit within this discussion of Impeachment Drama. Another aspect is moral nihilism. The book I'm reading about the deep state examines that within our tiers of governmental influence. As in how the deep state can reflexively use the underworld (crime syndicates) to make ends meet. Assassinations, drug smuggling etc. Anyway the psychological makeup of politics is very cynical. The characters within it are like a rogue gallery of the type from comic books. No wonder nothing of lasting virtue is accomplished.
Like the previous video. This YouTube channel has a whole series of human behavior tutorials that are a good intellectual workout to raise consciousness towards our political and media ulterior methods of swaying public opinion. And on down to any interaction with the human species. Seems like a decent layman's thumbnail sketch for how we deal with one another and how its used for good or ill. I think we get played all to easily, (manipulated) now with mass communications dealing with any serious subject matter going on in this world. Its worthwhile to train yourself intellectually like you would for benefiting your physical condition. https://www.youtube.com/@PhilosophyCoded